For the next installment of the series, we sat down with Sammi Garett, of Turkuaz, to get her story on how she got to where she is today.

ShowTheShow: When you were younger, when did you know that this is what you wanted to do? What brought you in to doing what you’re doing now?

Sammi Garett: It’s funny because recently I looked back on old family videos and ever since I was little, I was standing on a table singing, tap dancing, performing. I have a younger brother who’s an artist and he was always drawing. I didn’t know it at the time, and my parents didn’t know it at the time, that I was going to grow up to be a performer. It’s funny looking back and seeing how I was always doing it, always performing.

In eighth grade, I auditioned to be in the school musical. I got the lead in it and, ever since, I wanted to sing. I was in the school band. I played the drums growing up, so I was always playing music. I also played the piano, so I was always very musical, but in terms of performing, it was that eighth grade musical.

STS: Was there an ‘it’ moment where you knew that this was what you wanted to do for the rest of your life?

SG: I think it was the moment I came home from school and told my mom that I auditioned for the school musical. I think that was really it. I took the initiative and auditioned and my parents were super supportive.

STS: Has your family been very supportive of your choice to get into this industry?

SG: Yes, absolutely. My mom is an artist and my dad is a psychologist and he also works in advertising. [They are] the most supportive people. They’re the best.

STS: Who did you listen to when you were younger? Who influenced you?

SG: My parents played a lot of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King; all of the solid females. I remember dancing in my living room to James Taylor.

STS: Now that you’re in the industry, what are some obstacles that you have faced?

SG: It is a very male dominated business. I think it’s very important, being a woman in this business, especially for me, because I’m very sweet and very nice but don’t mistake that for weakness. I’m not weak. I will stand up for myself. If something happens, I will say something, whether it’s not being able to hear myself in the monitor and sound guys don’t believe me. I think it’s sometimes hard being a woman to be aggressive and have people not think you’re a bitch. I think it’s important to be professional in every situation. Don’t mistake niceness, and sweetness, for weakness.

STS: What is your most memorable musical experience?

SG: I think every time people in the audience sing our lyrics is such a crazy out of body experience. Whenever that happens it’s crazy because you’re performing your song for the audience and they know it just as well as you. Every time that happens, every single night, it’s what really sticks out in my mind. It’s very surreal. They know it just as well as us. Every time that happens I just think that’s so cool.

STS: What piece of advice would you want to say to young girls that have it in their mind that they want to go into music?

SG: Just get out there. Perform. Be confident. Do what you do and don’t be scared to make mistakes. We’ve all made mistakes here and there. We’ve had great gigs and not great gigs. You learn from your mistakes. It’s important, and okay, to fail every once in a while because, going forward, you know what not to do. You can learn from your mistakes. Just get out there and perform with anybody and everybody. Get in front of an audience because that’s super important.

For more information on Sammi Garett, and Turkuaz, please visit their official website